April 17, 2011

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COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou baseball team fell in its series finale against Kansas, 6-0, on Sunday afternoon (April 17) at Taylor Stadium. The loss drops the Tigers to 14-22 on the season and 2-9 in Big 12 play. Sophomore catcher Ben Turner led Mizzou at the plate, going 3-3 and drawing a walk as he reached base in all four of his plate appearances. Sophomore Eric Garcia extended his hit streak to seven straight games as well with a double in the seventh inning.

Making his second career start and first since last Sunday, junior Dusty Ross was tagged with the loss after throwing 2.0 innings and giving up just one earned run while striking out one. He only allowed one hit in his start, but struggled with his command, walking three KU batters. Kansas' Alex Cox earned the win, throwing 5.2 innings, scattering just six hits and not allowing a run. Kansas homered twice in the game as well, including a two-run shot in the seventh by Jason Brunansky, putting the game out of reach for the Tigers.

Aside from Turner, senior shortstop Jesse Santo had a good day at the plate, going 2-3. Blake Brown and Dane Opel also tallied hits in the loss. Senior Brad Buehler came on and pitched 4.0 innings of relief in the game, allowing just three hits and striking out five. He did allow two earned runs in the outing. Jeff Emens also through a scoreless frame for Mizzou in the ninth, tallying a strikeout in the inning of work.

In all, Mizzou struggled to hit with runners on base, stranding 11 in the game. That was the story of the series as Mizzou left 34 runners on base in the three games, proving that the Tigers are hitting, but just not coming up with key hits. The Tigers will look to rebound next week as they travel to Waco, Texas, for a three-game series with Baylor that begins on Thursday.

A season-high 1,113 fans took in the game on a beautiful day for baseball at Taylor Stadium on Sunday. For all the latest on Mizzou baseball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on twitter @MUTigerBaseball.